Heavy bandobast for immersion procession

On the backdrop of the recent serial blasts in the city, the police have also decided to install a maximum number of cameras on main roads like Laxmi road, Kumthekar road, Kelkar road, Tilak road, Shastri road and Shivaji road through which a majority of the Ganesh mandals normally proceed on their way to the ghats where the visarjan takes place.

“To ensure strong security measures during the immersion procession, we have decided to install CCTV cameras at the main immersion ghats and work has already begun at some places. By tomorrow evening, all such work will be completed,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (special branch) Arvind Patil.

The city has 3,348 small and big mandals of which a vast majority take the roads where the police have decided to extend CCTV coverage. “We have deployed heavy bandobast for the immersion procession and there will be approximately 8,000 personnel, including officers, on the field till the procession ends,” said Patil.

Apart from the police force, 12 SRPF platoons, four quick response teams, four striking force squads and four bomb detection and disposal squads will be mobilised in any eventuality. The city police have decided to deploy undercover cops to keep an eye on chain snatchers, pick pockets, eve teasers and to curb thefts.